NTSB made recommendations to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including implementation of a program to identify commercial drivers at risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Drivers would be required to provide medical evidence of evaluation/treatment before being granted unrestricted medical certification (H-09-15). Another recommendation emphasized drivers who have OSA and are effectively treated should be routinely approved for continued medical certification (H-09-16).
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IPC Lean Sigma Conference for Electronics Manufacturing will be held November 17-19, 2009, in Phoenix, AZ. Fundamentals of Lean Sigma workshop will provide hands-on strategies to maintain work flow in balance with customer demands, with presentations by Rita Mohanty, Ph.D.; Tim King; and Ronald C. Lasky, Ph.D. Conference topics will include Lean Design of Experiments, Kaizen model of team training, value stream mapping, and information on 5S process to organize/clean/standardize workplace.
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October issue of The MHEDA Journal focuses on partnerships between manufacturers and distributors of material handling equipment, which are essential for success, particularly in a down economy. Issue contains 18 stories of how collaboration directly resulted in sales. Some unique applications for material handling equipment described in articles include custom-mezzanine for motorcycle storage, conveyor system for handling high-end garments, and yard ramp for hot unloading environment.
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According to PMA Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies expect leveling in business conditions and incoming orders during final quarter of 2009. It shows 54% of companies expect activity will remain unchanged over next 3 months and 40% expect no change in incoming orders, while 54% report that shipping levels are higher than 3 months ago. Companies with portion of workforce on short time or layoff decreased to 60%, possibly reflecting permanent downsizing of workforces.
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Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from October 5-7, 2009 PACK EXPO Selects Competition awarded first prize to Robbie Flexibles for the Purex® Complete(TM) 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets packaging. Printpack's Body Glove water filtration packaging came in at a very close second, and Lloyd's Barbeque packaging from Airlite Plastics Co. took third. Each took its own approach towards sustainability, indicating importance of sustainability movement as market-driving factor.
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Taking in-depth look at current economic crisis, October issue of MHEDA Edge analyzes how material handling distributors can make the most of the situation. Edge asked industry veteran Matt Senecal for his take on how to streamline material handling dealership. Found in the On The Job section of magazine, article analyzes key departments of distributorship and breaks down opportunities that can help start process of improvement.
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With specific examples for wind and solar applications, Advanced Magnet Lab President Mark Senti will lead a free webinar - Automation and Manufacturing Opportunities in Renewable and Alternative Energy - on November 13, 2009 to explain where industry is currently and where it is going. According to Senti, "Automation and manufacturing companies in search of new business from this industry can make a successful transition if they do their homework."
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ASTM International is a primary standards contributor to Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule, which was approved by the U.S. EPA and enacted in response to Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008. Referenced standards are test methods and specifications that cover diverse set of topics - aviation fuel, water, coal sampling systems, hydraulic cement - to assist businesses in tracking as well as reporting their own emissions.
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New regulations for manufacturers of aircraft and aviation products will update and standardize FAA requirements to better align them with current global manufacturing environment. Changes include sandardization of QC system requirements for all aviation manufacturers, updated export requirements to facilitate global acceptance and documentation of parts, as well as standardization of part-marking and identification requirements so they align with other countries' rules.
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NIST draft documents include proposed charter for Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP), call for candidates to serve on panel's initial governing board, and panel's membership agreement. To support NIST in fulfilling responsibilities under 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, SGIP will identify, prioritize, and address new/emerging requirements for Smart Grid standards. Nominations for governing board candidates must be received by November 4, 2009.
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Interested stakeholders are reminded to register for upcoming sessions of ANSI's courses for administration of domestic and international standards programs. To be held in November 2009, each session will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in ANSI's NYC office. Topics will include development of American National Standards; activities of U.S. Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) and the responsibilities of TAG members, administrators, and leaders; as well as successful ISO committee management.
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NAM Chief Economist, David Huether, made a statement announcing the presence of first economic recovery signs since the deepest drop in production witnessed in the post-WWII era. The Federal Reserve reported manufacturing output increased 1% in September after upwardly revised 1.2% gain in August. While half of September's manufacturing production gain was concentrated in motor vehicle sector, majority of 19 major industries posted production gains for all 3 months in third quarter.
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AIM announced publication of DotCode, a rectangular matrix symbology designed to produce machine-readable coding with existing, in market high-speed industrial printing equipment. DotCode is suited for high-speed industrial ink jet and laser marking because it does not require continuous lines or touching elements. It can be printed in several different rectangular shapes including ribbon-like format, which could be used to encode production batch, lot number, and best-by date on commodities.
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Hosted by ANSI, 2009 Open Forum for Standards Developers brought together representatives from diverse range of organizations, including ANSI-accredited standards developers, consortia and other fora, industry, government, and consumers. Panel topics covered cybersecurity, sustainable buildings, and social media. Addressing current standardization issues in the U.S. and abroad, forum provided an opportunity for all voices from the standards community to be heard.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency of DHS has announced intent to select standards for adoption in 9/11 Commission-recommended program intended to improve preparedness for disasters and emergencies in private sector. Three documents have been identified for prospective adoption in Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program, which will assess whether private sector entity complies with voluntary preparedness standards adopted by DHS.
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ASTM International technical committees D24 on Carbon Black, E55 on Manufacture of Pharmaceutical Products, F02 on Flexible Barrier Packaging, and F40 on Declarable Substances in Materials held meetings on October 5-9, in Prague, Czech Republic. Meetings included discussions on proposed standards and revisions as well as workshops and roundtables. Central European location allowed for participation of several ASTM global members and interested participants.
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ZigBee® Alliance announced certification of 17 devices from 10 manufacturers using ZigBee Home Automation, which is a standard offering control for home appliances, lighting, environment, energy use, and security. Standard provides path to direct interoperability with other ZigBee public application profiles, including the ZigBee Smart Energy. Products using ZigBee Home Automation are suited for new construction, do-it-yourself, and retrofit markets.
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ASHRAE president Gordon Holness called President Obama's declaration of October as National Energy Awareness Month "an opportunity for Americans to become more aware of how their everyday choices and actions impact energy use - particularly in their homes and the buildings where they work and play." Holness also offered ASHRAE's standards and new labeling program as resources for achieving the President's goal of energy efficiency.
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